Uganda Judicial Officers Association has petitioned Principal Judge Flavian Zeija for an urgent online meeting over the expulsion of Justice Farida Bukirwa from the Judiciary.
Justice Bukirwa was among the 16 justices who were appointed in acting capacity by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in 2022 whose confirmation depended on their satisfactory performance.
After two years of service on probation, the 15 justices had their respective appointments confirmed as substantive but justice Bukirwa was rejected prompting the Principal Judge Dr Flavian Zeija to write to her demanding that she hands over office on August 15th 2024. This was in an August 8th 2024 letter.
“Therefore, since your acting period as a High Court judge expires on August 15, 2024, this is to request you to hand over your office, all judiciary property, and case files to the head of the Jinja High Court Circuit as we investigate why your instruments of appointment were never received by the judiciary,” reads the letter.
The things that Bukirwa is supposed to take back to the judiciary include the Judicial attire comprising a wig and a gown, a car, gavel ( the court hammer ), case files that were before her. She must also surrender the body guards and a driver.
She will also lose the Judge’s salary and other allowances plus benefits of a High Court Judge.
Now a letter dated August 12th 2024 by the President of UJOA Lady Justice Olive Kazaarwe Mukwaya to the Principal Judge says on the morning of August 12th 2024 they learnt that Hon Lady Justice Bukirwa Faridah Shamillah – Acting Judge was instructed to hand over office as the Judiciary awaiting receipt of the outcome of the outcome of the decision of the appointing authority on her confirmation. This is in light of the fact that her contract as an Acting Judge expires on August 15th 2024.
“This information has sent ripples of alarm amongst the current Acting Judges who shall inevitably be subject to this confirmation process, specifically, circumstances under which An Acting Judge is required to hand over office before the decision of the appointing authority is formally communicated to the Judiciary”, reads the letter.
According to the UJOA, they envisage a situation where the Acting Judge’s independence shall be severely eroded as the gauntlet of an unclear confirmation process hangs over their heads.
